Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WON’T BE OUTDUN
Ben to honour Davis families colourful past
BEN DUNDEE might prove an apt winner of the Grade 3 Klairon Davis Novice Chase in Navan today.
The six-year-old is owned by Chris Jones, in whose father’s colours Klairon Davis raced in the eighties, notching 20 successes, including the 1995 Arkle and 1996 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Twice a winner over hurdles, Ben Dundee has taken well to fences in recent weeks and, with Bryan Cooper in the saddle, might have the edge in a fascinating five-runner affair.
The selection shaped with plenty of promise on his fencing bow in Down Royal, finishing a close third to stable-companion Delta Work, which went on to frank the form in Sunday’s Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse.
Ben Dundee stepped-up on that solid start when landing his beginners at Punchestown last time, taking control three from home before beating Whisper in the breeze comfortably.
Dropping back from two and a half miles, Ben Dundee is a strong traveller and should have no difficulty coping with today’s trip.
He’s marginally preferred to his stable-companion HARDLINE, successful on his fencing bow before chasing home Voix Du Reve in a Grade 2 at Punchestown, and Joseph O’brien’s US AND THEM, which beat subsequent handicap winner Duca De Thaix over this course and distance on his second chase start.
If he can transfer his good recent hurdle form to chasing, DE NAME ESCAPES ME, trained for J P Mcmanus by Noel Meade, should prove tough to beat in the Foxrock Handicap Chase.
Successful at Naas two runs back (off a mark of 130), the eight-year-old travelled like a winner for most of the journey in a recent handicap hurdle at this venue, before being outstayed by Walk To Freedom.
De Name Escapes Me is now rated 142 over hurdles, but runs today off a chase rating of 119. So, if he jumps solidly, he must have a big chance, with recent Troytown runner-up MR DIABLO probably the most obvious danger.